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Characteristics of a later life population in a general adult community mental health service setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2021

R. O’Sullivan ,
M. Cosgrave ,
A. Butler  and
J.P Lyne
R. O’Sullivan*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Ashlin Centre, Beaumont Road, Dublin, Ireland
M. Cosgrave
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Ashlin Centre, Beaumont Road, Dublin, Ireland Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 111 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
A. Butler
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Ashlin Centre, Beaumont Road, Dublin, Ireland Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 111 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
J.P Lyne
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Ashlin Centre, Beaumont Road, Dublin, Ireland Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 111 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr Roisin O’Sullivan, Department of Psychiatry, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin 24, Ireland. (Email: Roisin.osullivan1@hse.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives:

Globally, increasing life expectancy has escalated demands on psychiatric services caring for a later life population. It is recognised that those with enduring mental illness may have specific needs with advancing age. In this study, we describe the characteristics of a population aged over 60 years attending a general adult community psychiatric service and compare demographic and clinical features across age and diagnostic categories. The study aims to gather preliminary information which may guide future local mental health service planning.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional observational study using retrospective chart review of all patients aged over 60 years attending four community mental health teams in North Dublin. Cohorts of attenders were stratified by age comparing 60–64 year age group with the population aged 65 years and over. Attenders were also stratified by diagnosis and regression analysis was used to determine predictors of psychotic disorder diagnosis.

Results:

The study included 127 patients. There was a higher prevalence of psychotic disorders among those aged 65 years and over (n = 73), while those aged 60–64 years (n = 54) were more likely to have depression and non-affective, non-psychotic disorders. Among the population aged 65 years and over 78% (n = 57) were long-term psychiatric service attenders.

Conclusions:

The majority of the sample aged 65 years and over were long-term service attenders with a diagnosis of severe mental illness. Further research is warranted to determine optimal service delivery for later life psychiatric service attenders.

Keywords

Graduatespsychiatry of old agepsychiatry of later life
Type
Short Report
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 40 , Issue 3 , September 2023 , pp. 450 - 456
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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